The Philadelphia 76ers introduced that Joel Embiid and Paul George will each miss Wednesday’s season opener in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Embiid, who did not play within the preseason, will miss not simply Wednesday’s recreation but additionally Friday’s recreation in Toronto and Sunday’s recreation in Indiana, regardless of the staff saying he’s “responding effectively to his individualized plan” and can ramp up his return-to-play actions this week, together with going via scrimmages.
George will probably be reevaluated later this week after he suffered a hyperextended left knee that left him with a bone bruise Oct. 14 in opposition to the Atlanta Hawks.
The opposite injured 76ers participant in the meanwhile, rookie Jared McCain, can have his standing for Wednesday’s recreation up to date later Tuesday after he suffered a pulmonary contusion in a tough fall final week in opposition to the Brooklyn Nets.
Going again to the beginning of coaching camp, the 76ers have been up-front that they will take a particularly cautious method with Embiid and George in terms of making an attempt to get them via the season wholesome and to the playoffs. Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey advised ESPN earlier this month that Philadelphia would attempt to hold each stars out of back-to-backs this season.
Embiid has misplaced 25 to 30 kilos, with the hope to lose extra, and can proceed to put on a brace on his left knee regardless of it being one thing that Embiid would favor to not do, as a substitute opting to maintain it as structurally steady and guarded as attainable.
Embiid performed in solely 39 video games final season because of knee accidents. He returned in time to play in opposition to the New York Knicks within the playoffs, however he did so at lower than 100% — and that was earlier than he was coping with a sudden onset case of Bell’s palsy through the sequence. Embiid went on to play for Group USA this summer time, serving to the Individuals win a fifth straight gold medal on the Paris Olympics.
George signed a four-year, $212 million max contract with the 76ers this summer time after spending the previous 5 years with the LA Clippers enjoying alongside Kawhi Leonard. Embiid signed a three-year max extension this summer time to stay with the one franchise he has ever performed for effectively into his mid-30s.
The 76ers additionally inked rising star guard Tyrese Maxey to a five-year max contract, re-signed veterans Kelly Oubre Jr. and Kyle Lowry, and signed free brokers Eric Gordon, Caleb Martin and Andre Drummond.